Driving and control mechanism for milling and similar machines



N W 1944- A. F. BENNETT 3, 34

DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES Filed Oct. :51, 1941 e sheets sheet 1 Fig.1

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A; F. BENNETT DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES Filed Oct. 51, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet s r A Maw Qnw RN am F QNN WN v NQM? 7 wwN QRN 3 ma L NRYN 7 WWW. Wk N MN WWW... vm N RN kmw m 7 9w SQ wN G G Film 3 x, Q My m wnw 8w a ht3 m @w mnfififi mm ww wmw 3 m w mmw mmw n NM wm wmw t s- 3w 5 m NOV. 28, 1944. F BENNETT 2,363,934

DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES Filed Oct. 31, 1941 6 Sheets -Sheet 4,

-No v. 28, 1944. 2,363,934

DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES A. F. BENNETT 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 31, 1941 m N 8% wNN mm. M Q N NM QN Q Inventor mt. a 4 F fuyxw QNN Witness: M 1m Nov. 28,1944. A: F. BENNETT 2,363,934 DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES Filed Oct. 31, 1941 6 Shgets-Shet 6 85 LEVER STOP 260 259 I nv entor Mam I I ,y.

Patented Nov. 1944.

2,363,934 7 DRIVING AND CONTROL MECHANISM l 'O d MILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES Arthur 1;. Bennett, West Barrlntton, n. 1., as-

signor to Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Rhode Island Application October .31, 1941, Serial No. 411,342

24 Claims.

Theipresent invention relates to improvementsin driving and control mechanism for milling and similar machines. r

The invention is herein disclosed in a preferred form as embodied in a milling machine having a rotary milling cutter spindle, and a work supporting assembly including a table, saddle and knee. The driving connections for the work supporting assembly comprise an electric mo-v tor, feed and quick traverse gear trains continuously driven therefrom, a feed-quick traverse clutch mounted on the knee, and branch transmissions from the feed-quick traverse clutch including individual reversers and irreversible screw and nut driving connections to each of the table, saddle and-knee; An individual electric motor having appropriate driving connections therefrom is provided'for driving the milling cutter spindle. For starting and stopping the ma-- chine, applicant provides a'main starting and stopping lever which operates through switch connections tostart and stop the spindle and work support assembly motors. Individual manual controls are provided for operating each of the several reversing clutches, and the feed-quick traverse clutch of the machine.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide in a machine of this general description having separate electric motors for driving the spindle and work supports and mechanical driving connections including variable speed gearing and control clutches, a driving and control system in which the electrical driving and switching devices and the mechanical motion transmitting and clutching devices are caused to cooperate with one another in a novel manner for the more efiicient and accurate operation of the machine.

It is another object of the invention to provide in a machine of this general description having electricaloperating controls including a starting and stopping control for the machine, a device which is rendered operative in stopping-the maoperation of the milling cutter spindle and the support or supports comprising the work supporting assembly ina machine tool ofthis general description.

In accordance with the invention, the clutching devices of the drive for the work supporting assembly, and more particularly the feed-quick traverse clutch, is arranged to cooperate with the electrical operating and controldevices in a novel manner for the carrying out of a number of operating functions of the machine. The feed-.quicktraverse clutchis normally controlled by means of a manually operable feed-quick traverse control lever which is shifted to the quick traverse position by the hand of the operator, and is' returned to the feed position by spring means which acts always to bias the clutch toward the feed position. The starting,

stopping and reversing of the individual supports including table, saddle and knee is cons trolled by means of manually controlled reversing clutches in the branch driving transmissions for these parts. 7 V

Specifically, in accordance with one feature of theinvention, applicant provides means which is rendered operative when the spindle and support assembly motors are de-energized to shift the feed-quick traverse clutch from the feed to a neutral position to insure the stopping of support movement before the rotating cutter spin- 'dle comes to rest. This is of particular importance to avoid injury to the machine or work in the event that the operator employs the main start and stop lever to stop the machine while chine to bring the moving work support or sup-' ports to rest before the spindle motor and milling cutter spindle driven thereby have ceased to rotate;

It isanother object of the invention to provide in a machine of this general description having ing and control mechanism for controlling the milling. The shifting .of the feed-quick traverse clutch to neutral serves to disconnect the moving support, whether table, saddle or knee, from the support motor and variable speed i'eed gearing which are-then brought to a gradual stop. The irreversible screw and nut driving connection through which the support is driven, when relieved of the relatively great driving inertia of these parts, acts to bring thetable'to an almost instantaneous stop. In the illustrated construction, the shifting of the feed-quick traverse clutch to the neutral position is effected by means of a power actuated throwout device and electrical operating connections including a solenoid which is arranged to be de-ene'rgized when the spindle motor is de-energized.

. Further in accordance with the invention, the mechanism for disconnecting the moving support from the feed driving connections upon stopping the spindle motor, is so arranged as to permit the continued power drive of any one or more of the supports of the work supporting assembly at the quick traverse rate independently of whether the spindle motor is running or not. Movement of the feed-quick traverse clutch from the neutral position in which it is held by the throwoutdevice to the quick traverse position. Shifting of the feed-quick traverse clutch to the quick the work. The control means-referred to, is in the form of a latching device, which is available to retain the feed-quick traverse clutch in the quick traverse position to which it is moved by the hand of the operator,' and which operates shift from quick traverse to feed. The latch is controlled through operating connections which include a solenoid, a switch, and a switch actuating plunger controlled by dogs on the work supporting table. The semi-automatic control thus provided may be rendered operative or may be disabled as desired by means of a selector knob.

Further in accordance with the invention, applicant provides means under the control of the operator to disengage the latch and to-return thefeed-quick traverse clutch ,to, its feed position independently of the operation of the dog actuated switch. The mechanism provided to this end, consists of a lost motion connection interposed between the feed-quick traverse. control lever and the rock shaft actuated thereby, and cam means which is renderedoperative by movement of th feed-quick traverse lever from itstable is driven; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in front elevation with parts'broken away to illustrate particularlythe semi-automatic control for the feed-quick traverse clutch; Fig. 10 is a detail view showing particularly the selector knob for rendering the semi-automatic control for thefeed-quick traverse clutch operative or inoperative; Fig. 11 is a view in right side elevation with parts broken away and underlying parts corresponding generally with those illustrated in Fig. 9 shown in section; Fig. 12 is a detailend view of the locking plunger for maintaining the feed-quick traverse clutch in its quick traverse position; Fig. 13 is a view looking from the right, of the locking plunger shown in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a sectional plan view of. the knee illustrating particularly the feed-quick traverse clutch and through the agency of table dogs to efiect the the several mechanisms for controlling the operation of the same;.Fig. 15 is a sectional view, but on a larger scale, taken on the line I 5-45 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 isa detail view showing the locking plunger in its retracted position in engagement with the rest surface formed on the flanged portion of the cooperatin sleeve member, this quick traverse position to positively withdraw the latch.

The several features of the invention consist also in the devices, combinations and arrangement of parts, which together with the advantages to be obtained thereby, will be readily understood by one skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in right side elevation of a milling .machine embodying in a preferred form the several features of the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the start and stop switch shown 'in Fig. 1, but with the machine casing removed to show the underlying parts; Fig. 3 is a detail view in front elevation of the milling cutter spindle supporting column, with portions of the machine casing broken away to show underlying parts; Fig. 4 is'a sectional view taken onthe line 4-4 of Fig. 3, to illustrate particularly the variable speed gear driving connections to the spindle; Fig. 51s a detail sectional view'taken on the line 5-5 of Fig; 2; Fig. 6 is a sectional view in right side elevation illustrating particularly the driving connections for the work supporting assembly including the branch transmissions with individual reversers for the table, saddle and figure being taken generally on the line Iii-l6 of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is' a similar view showing particularly the throw-out cam formed on the hub portion of the feed-quick traverse lever, taken substantially on the line ll-Il of Fig. 15; Fig. l8 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 18-"! of Fig. 14, and illustrating particularly the control switch for energizing the feed motor; Fig. 19 is a view in right side elevation illustrating a portion of the knee, and more particularly themechanism operative in stopping the. machine to shift the feed-quick traverse clutch from the feed position to the neutral position; Fig. 20

is a view in front elevation taken on the line 20-40 of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 a fragmentary view showing the clutch axial shift cam andfollower lever for a different position of the parts in which the clutch hasbeen shifted to neutral position; Fig. 22 is a detail view of the axial-shift cam formed on one face of a gear in the quick traverse train; and Fig. 23 is an electrical diagram illustrating the electrical hook-up of the machine.

The machine illustrated in the drawings, comprises a column support 20 on which is mounted knee; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, illustrating particularly the feed and quick traverse gear trains and the feed-quick traverse clutch; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6, illustrating particularly the driving connections including the'reverser and feed screw and nut by which the a horizontally disposed'milling cutter spindle 22, and a work. supporting assembly comprising a knee 24 vertically adjustable on ways 26' on the front sideof the column, a saddle 28. slidable on ways 30 on the knee 24, and a table 32 movable longitudinally on ways 34 on the saddle 28.

The milling cutter spindle 22', asbest shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.21s driven from an electric motor 36, mounted on the column 20 through variable speed driving connections which may be of ordinary description. .These connections comprise a driving shaft 38 connected to the armature shaft 40 of, the motor, and intermediate shafts 42, 44 and 45 supporting thereon shiftable gears and gear clusters through which the variable speed drive is spindle 22.

For bringing the spindle a quick stop in stopping the machine, a mechanical brake is provided, which comprises a cone-shapedbrake member 48,. having the sleeve hub portion thereof keyed to and axially slidable with relation to an enlarged end portion' of the'shaft 38 connected with the armature shaft 4001 the spindle motor 36. 'I'h'e brake member 48 is "arranged for-movement forwardly into frictional engagement with a cooperating brake element 50, fixedly transmitted to' the .a. switch actuating arm 83.

supported in the-machine frame. The brake 48 is mechanically connected and operates'in conjunction with the starting and Stopping lever 52 of the machine mounted on the left side of the machine column 28. As best shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, of the drawings, the'starting and stopping lever 52 is secured to a transversely extending rock shaft 54 having secured thereto a U-shaped lever 56. One arm of the lever 56 is connected by means ofa link 58 with a brake shifting lever 68, pivoted at 62 and" having a forked portion on which are mounted shoes 64 for engagement with an annular groove and stopping switch for-themachine, indicated generally at I2 in Fig. 1. The second arm of the u-shaped lever 56 is, connected by means of a link I4 with an arm 16 keyed to a rock shaft I8. Also secured to the rock shaft I8 is a switch control lever 88 which takes the form of a plate having mounted thereon two oppositely disposed spring-pressedplungers 82 for engagement with Movement of the switch actuating arm 83 to the right from the intermediate position shown in Fig. 2, causes an atfiustable contact screw 84 thereon to ress the stop switch button 85. Movement of the switch actuating arm 83 to the left causes an adjustable contact screw 84 .to press the start switch button 81. A spring-pressed plunger 88 arranged for engagement with anotch 89 formed in one side of the switch control lever 88, serves to support,

tion, upward movement of the starting and stopping lever 52 acts to shift the' switch control lever 88 and the switch actuating arm 83 to the left topress the switch start button 81. This acts to start the table and spindle motors as hereinafter more fully pointed out in connection with the description of the electrical control system for the machine. The starting and stopping lever 52 when released by the operator, returns to its neutral position, leaving the machine in running condition. In the event that it is desired to stop the machine, downward movement of the starting and stopping lever 52 operates to shift the switch control lever 88 and with it the switch actuating arm 83. to the rght to press the stop switch button 85 which acts through electrical connections hereinafter described, to de-energize both thetable and spindle motors.- This downward movement of the starting and'stopping lever-52 acts. also, throu h the mechanical connections described, to apply the spindle motorbrake thus bringing the spindle motor to a quick stop. When released fromthe hand of the operatorythe starting and stopping lever 52 again returns to its neutral position, leaving the machine in a stopped conditionand with the spindle brake again disengaged.

The drive for the table, saddle and knee is end a clutch shifting taken from an electric motor 98 (see Figs. 1 and 14) supported on the right side of the knee 24. As shown in Fig. 7, the armature shaft 92 of the motor 98has formed thereon a gear 94 which mesheswith a gear 96 on a quick traverse driving sleeve member 98 loosely mounted to turn on a transverse shaft I88, supporting the feedquick traverse clutch mechanism hereinafter, more fully to be described. The gear 96 and the sleeve member 98 provide the quick traverse driv ing connections from the motor 98 to the feedquick traverse clutch.

The table, saddle and knee are arranged to be driven at a feed rate from the motor 98 through a variable speed reduction gear train having provision for sixteen speed changes. The feed gear, train, as best shown in Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawings, comprises a small gear I82, formed on thesleeve 98, which meshes with a gear I 84 on an intermediate drive shaft I86. Thence the drive is taken though intervening gear clusters mounted upon the shaft I86 and intermediate shafts I88, "8, to afeed driving sleeve member II2 loosely mounted to turn on the feedquick traverse clutch supporting shaft I88. 7

The feed-quick traverse clutch, as best shown in Fig. 14, comprises a driven element in the form of a spiral gear I I4 which is secured to the shaft I 88, and is interposed between the quick traverse driving sleeve member 98 and the feed driving sleeve member 2. The spiral gear H4 is connected to be driven at a feed rate from the feed driving sleeve member II2 by means of a feed clutch element II6 keyed to turnwith and to slide 'axially with relation to the-feed driving sleeve member H2, and for engagement with cooperating clutch teeth formed on one face of the spiral gear I I 4.

Thespiral gear H4 is connected to be driven at the traverse rate from the quick traverse driving sleeve 98 by means of a disc type friction clutch, comprising a quick traversesleeve clutch member 8 keyed to turn with and to slide axially with relation to the quick traversev driving sleeve 98. A series of disc friction clutch elements {on the sleeve II8 are arranged for engagement with a corresponding series of disc friction clutch elements carried on the cylindrical surface of an axial bore in the spiralgear IM.

For controlling the axial position of the feed clutch element I I6 and quick traverse clutch element H8, a clutch shifting mechanism is provided which comprises a shifting fork I22 arranged for engagement with an annular groove I24 in the feed clutch element H6 and an axially shiftable supporting rod I26 to which the shifting fork I22 is rigidly secured. A compres- SlOIi. spring I28 seated within an axial bore in the rod I26, and engaging at its outer end against a cross pin I29 mounted in the bearing support I38 for the rod, tends to shift the rod I26 and clutch shifting fork I22 axially to the right to a position in which the feed clutch H6 is engaged to drive the spiral gear H4 at the feed rate. The position of the quick traverse clutch element I I8 is controlled by means of a shifting fork I82 which is loosely sleeved on the rod I26 in abutting relation to the shifting fork I22.

Control of the feed-quick traverse clutch is effected manually by means of a feed-quick traverse control lever I38. The lever I38 is operatively connected to the forward end of a clutch control rock shaft I48 which carries at its rear arm I42 with a shoe I49 pivotally mounted thereon for engagement with a slot I44 formed in the quick traverse clutch shifting fork I62. A loose coupling is provided between the lever I66 and rock shaft I46 to prov Y vide for a limited movement of the lever I66 relative to the'rock shaft I46 in either direction. The lost motion thus provided is employed to permit the unlatching of the feed-quick traverse clutch and its return from the quick traverse to the feed position-under the control of the feed-quick traverse lever during operation in accordance with a semi-automatic cycle of operation, as hereinafter more fully to be described.

The lever I66 is loosely supported to turn on a sleeve element I45 between the flanged inner end thereof and a locking collar I46 which serves to secure the sleeve element I46 to the shaft I46.

,1 The flanged portion of the sleeve I45 has formed therein segmental slots I41 which engage loosely with lugs I46 formed on the adjacent face of the hub of the lever I66. A .torsion spring I46 coiled about the rock shaft I46 and secured at one end to the machine frame, and at its other end to the sleeve I45 tends to rock the shaft I46 in a clockwise direction. With the construction- 'asoassa of the shaft I66, is arranged to engage with and to drive in reverse directions beveled gears I64 and I66, supported to turn on a shaft I66 carried on the table 62. A reversing elutch element I 61 splined to the shaft I66 is interposed between the reversely driven gears I64, I66, and is shiftable' which may be of ordinary description, and is secured at the forward end of a clutch shifting rod I66 rotatably mounted in the saddle, and provided at its rear end with an offset shifting element clutch shifting fork I22 and the feed clutch element II6 to the right to the engaging feed position under the influence of spring I26. Movement of the feed-quick traverse lever I66 and rock shaft I46 in a counterclockwise direction acts to move the quick traverse shifting fork I62 and clutch element II6 leftwardly into enaging position. The shifting fork I22, in abutting engagement with the fork I62, is moved positively to the left therewith to shift the feed clutch element II6 to its inoperative position. i

' The movement of the feed-quick traverse lever I66 to quick traverse position acts also to close a table starting switch which acts to start the table motor, if the table motor is not already running. The table starting switch referred to,

comprises a switch actuating arm I66 on the'rock shaft I46, which is arranged on movement of the I quick traverse control lever I66 to its quick traverse position, to engage with and close a table motor starting switch I6I. The switch arm I66 is loosely mounted on a sleeve I62 pinned to the shaft I46, and is urged to a limiting position in a counterclockwise direction, determined by cooperating-abutments on the switch arm I56 and sleeve element I52, by means of a coiled torsion spring I66 connected at one end to the sleeve I62 and at its other end to the switch arm I56.

The drive. for the table, saddle and knee, is taken from the spiral gear I I4 through branch transmissions, each of which includes a reversing clutch and an irreversible driving connection.

I66. A beveled gear I62 secured to the upper end I62 for engagement with the clutch sleeve I61.

The drive for the saddle is taken from the drive shaft I55 through connections including a reversing clutch I66 and a saddle feed screw I66 which meshes with a nut I66. formed in the saddle as generally indicated in Fig. 6.

The power drive for the knee is similarly taken from the shaft I55 through connections including a knee reversing clutch I92, a drive shaft I64, beveled gears I66, I66, a vertically arranged feed screw 266, and a nut 262 formed in a sleeve element 264 supported from the base of the machine.

A feature of the invention consists in the provision of a mechanism for shifting the feed-quick traverse clutch from its feed position to a neutral position when the machine is stopped, so that the table, saddle or knee, as the case may be, freed from the inertia inherent in the tablemotor, and 'in the variable speed feed gear train, will stop before the spindlemotor'and spindle driven thereby have ceased to rotate.

The mechanism provided in accordance with the present invention for shifting the feed-quick traverse clutch to a neutral position, is arranged to be controlled by means of a solenoid 2I6 which is tie-energized at the same time that the spindle. motor is de-energized. As best shown in Figs. 14, and 19 to 22 inclusive, the solenoid 2I6 is provided with an armature 2I2 connected by a link 2I,4 with a actuating lever 2I6 secured to a pivot shaft 2I6. A downwardly extending contact lever arm 226 also is secured to the pivot shaft 2 I6, andis arranged for engagement with a downwardly extending tail 222 of a feedthrowout operating lever 224 loosely mounted to turn on the clutch shifting fork supporting rod I26. The feed throwout operating lever 224 is'provided with a relatively wide tail portion 226 which is brought by a clockwise movement of the lever into the path of a face cam 226 formed on one face of the quick traverse driving gear 66. and 20 show the parts in position with the lever 224 in its advanced position opposite the low portion of the face cam 226. During continued rotation of the quick traverse driving gear 66, the rise portion of face cam 226 will engage and force the feed throwout operating lever axially to the left from the position shown in Fig. 26, carrying with it the shifting forks I22 and I62 and supporting shaft I26, to an intermediate neutral position in which the feed clutch element H6 is disengaged from the spiral gea-r II4. A tension spring 266 connected between the feed throwout operating lever 22 4 and a point on Figs. 19

the machine frame, tends to rock the lever 224 in a. clockwise direction to maintain the tail portion 222 in engagement with the lever 220, and to move the lever 224 into the clutch throwout position shown in Fig, Iii/when permitted by the de-energizing of the solenoid 2I0 and consequent upward movement of the armature 2I2.

In order to hold the parts of the feed-quick traverse shiftingmechanism in their neutral position, a spring-pressed detent plunger 232 is pro vided which is arranged to cooperate with a laterally extending arm 236 of the feed throwout op- 4 traverse clutch to its feed position, only when the spindle motor is again started. The starting of the spindle motor acts through electrical connections hereinafter to be described, to energize solenoid 2I0. The armature H2 is depressed,

rocking the actuating lever 2I6 and the throwout operating lever 224 ina counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 19, so that the tip portion 226 is moved out of the path of theface cam 228, and the arm 236 is dropped beneath and out of engagement with they detent plunger 232. The throwout operating lever 224 together with the supporting shaft I26 and shifting forks I22, I32 will now shi ft under the influence of spring I28 to the feed clutch engaging position to the right.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the mechanism for controlling the position of the feed-quick traverse clutch is constructed and arranged to permit this clutch to be operated either manually or through the agency of table dogs in accordance with asemiautomatic cycle of operations. Under conditions of manual operation, the feed-quick traverse controllever I38 is shifted to its quick traverse position, and must be supported manually in this position so long as it is desired to operate the support at the quick traverse rate. For operation of the machine in accordance with a semiautomatic cycle in which the work support has started to move at the traverse rate, and is automatically slowed to the. feed rate immediately before the milling cutter engages the work, applicant provides an automatic control mechanism in the form of a latching device which is available to retain the feed-quick traverse clutch in its .quick traverse position to which it is moved by the operation of the feed-quick traverse control 'lever I38. The latch is subsequently disengaged through the agency of dogs on the table to shift the clutch from the quick traverse to the feed position.

The latching device shown in Figs. 9 to 18 inclusive, comprisesa plunger 248 supported on the knee 'in parallel relation to the rock shaft I40, and arranged for advancing movement into engagement with a radial slot 250 formed in the flanged portion of the sleeve member I secured to the rock shaft I40. A key 25I engaging in a keyway 252 in the plunger prevents rotational movement of the plunger in its bearing. As

shown, for example, in Figs. 12. and 15, the plunger 246 is spaced from the rock shaft I40 so that only half of its diameter will be engaged within the slot 250, the other half lying outside of the peripheral surface of the flanged portion of the sleeve member I45. The inner half of the tip portion of the plunger 246, is provided with a detent surface 253 which is arranged upon movement ofthe rock shaft I40 to its quick traverse position to engage a cooperating detent surface 254 on a segment 255 of the flanged portion of the sleeve member I45 to latch the parts in the quick traverse position. As shown in Fig. 16, the segment 255 has the face portion thereof slabbed off to provide a rest surface 256 against which the plunger 246 may be engaged when the rock shaft I40 and sleeve member I45 are in the feed position. A compression spring 251 coiled about the plunger 246 between an abutting shoulder on the knee and a collar 258 on the plunger, acts normally to maintain the plunger in a retracted position. Rotation of the rock shaft I40 and the sleeve member I45 in a counterclockwise direction to the quick traverse position. acts to bring the slot 250 into register with the plunger 246, which may now be advanced to engage the cooperating detent surfaces 253, 254 to latch the feedquick traverse clutch in its quick traverse position.

The plunger 246 is urged forwardly to latch the clutch in its quick traverse position, and is subsequently retracted to permit the return of the clutch to its feed position in accordance with a semi-automatic cycle of operation of the machine, by means of operating connections which include a solenoid 259, a solenoid control switch 260 and a switch actuating plunger 262 controlled by dogs on the work supporting table 32. The solenoid 259 is arranged when energized to advance the plunger 246 into its locking position V ing fork having trunnions 212 for engagement with a slotted collar 214 on an axially movable rod 216- forming a rearward extension of the plunger 248. ,A yieldable coupling is provided between the rod 216 and plunger 246 in the form of a sleeve member 211 which is fitted over the abutting reduced end portions of the rod 216 and plunger 246. A cross pin 218 in the reduced rear end portion of the plunger 246 is arranged for engagement with a longitudinal slot 219 in the coupling sleeve 211, and serves to limitthe advancing movement of the plunger 246 with relation to the sleeve 211. A compression spring 280 coiled about the plunger 246 between the coupling sleeve 211 and the collar 258 serves to maintain the plunger 246 in its relatively extended position with relation to the coupling si eve 21'! .and rod 216 against which the sleeve is engaged. As will readily be evident from an inspection of Fig. 11, the energizing of the solenoid 259 causes the rod 216 to be advanced. Since the spring 280 tending to maintain the yielding coupling in its extended position, is of greater strength than the spring 251, the plunger 246 is urged forwardly toward its latching position. Movement of the feed-quick traverse lever to its quick traverse position will now cause the plunger riding on the rest surface 255 to drop into latching position in the slot 250. It will be noted that the cooperating detent surfaces 253, 254 are slightly angled to facilitate the withdrawal of the plunger, so that the plunger will certainly be withdrawn by the action of the spring 251 when the solenoid 259 is again de-energized.

The control switch 288 for the solenoid 259 is supported on the saddle 28, and is arranged to be actuated bymeans of a switch control lever arm 282, one arm of which is arranged to be moved into engagement with the switch, and the other arm of which is operatively connected with the switch actuating plunger 282. The operative connection referred to, comprises a follower element 288 on the end of the lever 282 which engages within a transverse slot 284 in the plunger 282. The plunger 282 is arranged to slide vertically in a recess 288 formed in the forward end of the saddle 28, and is pushed yieldingly upwardly into the path of movement of cooperating dogs 288 and 298 by means of a compression spring 292 seated at one end in the base of the recess 288, and at its other end within an axial bore formed in the lower end of the plunger 282.

Assuming that the switch actuating plunger 282 is in its raised operative position,and that the switch control lever 282 is in its correspondingly depressed switch engaging position,- the switch 2881s closed, so that starting of the machine as, for example, by the manual shifting of the feed-quick traverse lever to its quick traverse position with the closing of switch LI-3 will then energize solenoid 289 to latch the feed-quick.

traverse clutch in its quick traverse position. The downward movement of theplunger 282 under the influence of the dogs 288 and 298, acts to raise the switch lever 282 outof engagement with the switch 288, so that the switch is permitted to,

. of plunger 248' under the influence of its spring 251, and the return of the feed-quick traverse clutch to its feed position.

The semi-automatic control thus provided, may be thrownint'o and out ofoperation through the agency of a rotatable control element 294 which is rotatably supported on the saddle 2,8 for rotational movement between alternative off and on positions. The control element294 is provided at its forward end with a knurled knob 295 and at its rear end with an axially offset lug 298 which engages in a transverse slot 298 formed in the switch actuating plunger 282. Movement of the control element 284 to its of! position acts to depress the switch actuating plunger 282 and to correspondingly raise the switch control'lever 282,

so that the switch 288 is permitted to open, thus maintaining the solenoid 288 de-.energized to prevent the latching of the feed-quick traverse in device and to shift the feed-quick traverse clutch .to its feed position during the performance of a semi-automatic cycle by a simple manipulation of the feed-quick traverse lever.

trol lever I88 is connected to the rock'shaft I48 through a lost motion connection which permits the lever I88 to be moved through a limited angle in either direction before the connection becomes operate with a cam surface 383 formed on the outer half of the end portion of plunger 248. During movement of the feed-quick traverse lever I88 to the quick traverse position, the lug- 888 passes over and beyond the plunger- 248 which for the feed position of the parts has been maintained in a retracted position in contact with the rest surface 258 on the flanged portion of the sleeve member I45 until .permitted to advance by movement of the slot 258 into alignment therewith. If pressure is now exerted upon the The construction and arrangement of the electrical controls for the spindle motor, the table motor, and the feed-quick traverse clutch, will be LI, L2 and L8. A starting and stopping switch comprising a relay T with switch contacts con-' trolled thereby, designated also by the letter T, is provided for starting and stopping the table motor. A'similar starting and stopping switch,

comprising 'a relay S and switch contacts actuated thereby, designated also by the letter S, is provided for starting and stopping the spindle motor. The feed-quick traverse clutch throwout solenoid M8 is connected across two of the leads to the spindle motor, so that this solenoid is energized simultaneously with the starting of the As previously pointed out, thefeed-quick traverse constartingthe spindle motor.

opening of the spindle motor starting and stopping switch to de-energize the spindle motor.

When it is desired to start the machine, the operator moves the main starting and stopping lever 82 to its starting position. Start switch contact LI4 closes, operated by mechanical connections from the lever 52 as above described. Relay S is energized, starting the spindle motor. Relay T is energized, starting the table motor, and at the same energizing the feed-quick traverse clutch throwout solenoid 2I8, so that the feed-quick traverse clutch is permitted to shift freely between its feed and quick traverse positions. Contact 88-4 closes, forming a holding circuit, so that relays T and .8 remain energized.

' The machine is now in condition for operation with both the spindle and table motors running. The operation of the table, saddle'and knee will now be controlled through manipulation of the usili tal reversing clutch levers for controlling these p As will be evident from an inspection of the electrical connections illustrated in Fig. 23, it is possible to move the table, saddle or knee at a quick traverse rate from one position to another without the necessity of previously actuating the main starting and stopping lever 82, and without Assuming that the machine is in stop position, a shifting of the feedeffective to turn therock shaft I48. A lug 888 having a cammed surface 882 on one end thereof,

quick traverse lever I88 to its quick traverse position, is effective to shift the feed-quick traverse clutch to its quick traverse position, and at the same time tqshift the associated switch I 5| opening the contact 4-8, and closing contact Ll--8 to energize relay T to start the table motor.

The electrical connections for controlling the operation of the feed-quick traverse clutch in accordance with the semi-automatic cycle of opera-,

tion as illustrated in Fig; 23, comprise the fast travel release solenoid 259 and the control switch 260 which form a circuit parallel with the table motor starting and stopping relay switch v T, so that this circuit is energized and de-energized simultaneously with relay T. The solenoid 259 acts when energized to urge the plunger 246 into its latching position. This condition is maintained,

until contact 3l5 of switch 260 is opened either by the operation of a table dog, or by shifting of the device to its off position as above described.

The operation of the throwout mechanism -to shift the feed-quick traverse clutch to .neutral position, may be described as follows: It is assumed that the machine is in operationwith the feed-traverse clutch in feed position, andv that energize both of said motors and simultaneously to disengage the clutch.

3. A driving and control mechanism for milling. and similar machines havinga work engaging tool, a rotary. holder rotatable to maintain an eflicient relative, surface speed of-tool and work for cutting, and a support movable to effect relative .translatory movement of the the operator actuates the main starting and stopping lever 52-to stop the entire machine.

The shifting of the starting and stopping lever 52 downwardly into its stop position, acts through the mechanical connections above described, to

open contact 5-6, de-energizing relay T to stop the table motor, and de-energizing relay S to stop the spindle motor. The downward move ment of thestarting stopping lever 52 acts also through the mechanical connections above described, to apply the spindle motor brake to mechanically brake the spindle to a stop. The

opening of relay switch S acts simultaneously to de-energize the feed-quick traverse clutch throwout solenoid .2), which causes.this clutch to be shifted to its neutral position. The driven support stops instantly, and before either of the spindle or table motors can be brought to rest.

- It will be understood that the invention'is "not limited to the specific embodiment shown, and

that various deviations may be made therefrom.-

without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A drivingand control mechanism for milling and similarv machines having-a work engaging tool, a rotary holder rotatable to maintain an eificient relative surface speed of tool and work for cutting and a support movable to effect relative translatory' movement of the work and tool, which comprises an electric motor for rotating theholder, an electric motor and connections therefrom including a' clutch for driving the support, and control means includmotor is de-energized to disengage the clutchto stop support movement before the tool holder has stopped rotating.

4. A driving and control mechanism for a milling machine having a rotary tool holder, and a work support movable relatively to the tool holder, which comprises an electric motor for driving the tool holdenpower means for driving the work support including an irreversible motion transmitting connection, a power source, and a clutch. interposed ,therebetween, a. clutch shifting'device arranged when rendered operative to be actuated by saidpower means to disengage the clutch, and an electrical control system for the machine comprising a switch connection operable to stop the tool holder motor, and means actuated by said switch for simultaneously rendering said clutch shifting device operative to disengage the clutch to stop support movement before the tool holder has stopped rotating.

4o 5. A driving and control mechanism :for milling and similar machines having a rotary tool holder, and a work supportmovablerelatively to the tool holder, which comprises an electric.

motor for driving the tool'holder, power driving connections for the work support including an irreversible motion transmitting connection, feed i and quick traverse gear trains, a feed-quick traverse clutch having feed quick traverse and neutral positions, and control meansfor the machine including a switch operable to stop the tool holder motor, and means actuated by said switch simultaneously to shift the feed-quick traverse clutch from the feed to the neutral position and thereby to stop the work support be- 5 fore the tool holder is brought to rest.

ing a machine stop control element, power operated means actingwhen rendered operative" to'disengage the clutch, and connections actuated by said stop control element to de-energ'ize both of said motors and simultaneously to cause said power operated means to disengage said clutch.

2. A driving and control mechanism for mill-' ing and similar machines having a work-"engaging tool, a rotary holder rotatable to m ntain an eflicient relative surface speed of 1 and work for cutting and a support movable to effect-relative translatory movement of the-work and tool, which comprises an electricmotor for rotating the holder, an electric motor and; con- ,nections therefrom for driving the supportineluding an irreversible driving connection and a clutch interposed between the irreversible driving connection and the motor, and control means including a machine stop control element, and electrical control devices actuated thereby to de- 6. A driving and control mechanism for mil-l ing andsimilar-machines having a rotary toolholder, and a work support movable relatively to the tool holder, which comprises an electric motor for driving the tool holder, power: driving connections for the work support including a support driving electric motor, an irreversible -motion transmitting connection, a clutch interposed between said connection and the support -motor, and astarting and stoppingcontrol for the machine including switch connections oper-I able for starting and. for simultaneouslystopping both off'csaid motors, and means rendered operative in stopping the tool'holder, motor to disengage the clutch and thereby to stop the support movement before the tool holder is brought to'rest.-

'7. A driving and control mechanism for milling and similar machines having a-rotary tool holder, 'and a work supporting assembly comprising a reciprocable work table, which com -w prises an electric motor for driving the tool holder, power means for driving the table in- =cluding a table electric motor, feed and quick traverse transmissions driven from the table electric motor, a feed-quick traverse clutch, and an irreversible motion transmitting connection between the clutch and the table, and a control system for the machine comprising a starting and stopping'control operable to start and stop both motors, a feed-quick transverse control operable to shift said clutch from feed to quick traverse position, a clutch shifting device comprising a solenoid and connections actuated thereby for shifting the feed-quick traverse.

clutch from feed to neutral position, and a connection rendered operative by movement of said starting and stopping control to stop position for controlling the solenoid to shift the clutch to neutral position, and thereby to stop the table before the tool holder is broughtto rest.

8. A driving and control mechanism for millholder and a reciprocable work support, individual electric motors for driving each of the. tool holder and work support, and an irreversible motion transmitting connection, and clutchingmeans interposed between the work support and its driving motor, which comprises a starting and stopping control for the machine, switch; connections controlled thereby for simultaneously de-energizing both of said motors, a solenoid connected to be de-energized simultaneously with the de-e'nergizingpf the tool holder motor, and power operated means rendered op-, erative by the'de-energizing of said solenoid to disengage the clutch.-

aseaoss position which comprises a cam continuously driven from the support motor, a clutch ,shifting member shiftable in the path of said cam to move the clutch from feed to neutral position, a latch operative to prevent the return of the clutch to the feed position, a solenoid connected to be energized and de-energized simultaneously with the spindle motor, and connections rendered operative by the de-energizing of the solenoid to move the shifting element into the path of they cam, and by the energizing of the solenoid to move the shifting element out of the path of the cam and to disengage the latch.

11. A driving and control mechanism ,for a milling machine having'a rotary cutter spindle, is. reciprocable work support, an electric motor for driving the spindle, and power means for driving the support including a snpport'e'lectric motor, feed and quick traversetrains driven from ing machines and the like having a rotary tool the support motor, a feed-quick traverse clutch having feed, quick traverse and intermediate neutral positions, and an irreversible motion transmitting connection between the clutchand the support, which comprises a manual feedquick traverse control including a clutch shifting element movable between feed and quick traverse position, means acting to bias the clutch includ-.

ing\ the shifting element toward the feed posi- 9. A driving and controimechanism for a milling machine having a rotary milling cutter spindle and a reciprocableawork support, which comprises an electric motor for .driving the spindle, power means for driving the support including a support electric motor, feed and quick traverse trains driven from the support motor, a feedquick traverse clutch having feed, quick traverse and neutral positions, and an irreversible motion transmitting connection between the clutch and the support, a starting and stopp control for the machine, switch connections controlled thereby for de-energizing said motors, a power actuated clutch shifting device comprising a cam driven from the quick traverse train, a

tion, a starting and stopping control for the machine, switch connections controlled thereby for tie-energizing said motors, a clutch throwout device for shifting the clutch'from the feed to the neutral position and including a latch operative to prevent the-return of the clutchto the feed position, and electrical connections operative simultaneously with the de-energizing of the spindle motor for actuating said throw-out device to shift the clutch to neutral position, and

simultaneously with the energizing of the spindle motor to render the latchinoperative.

12. A driving and control mechanism for a milling machine having a rotary milling cutter spindle, and a work supporting assembly comprising a plurality of supports movable in diverse directions, an electric motor for driving the spindle, driving connections for said work supporting assembly including a support electric motor, feed and quick traverse trains driven from the motor, a feed-quick traverse clutch having feed, neutral and quick traverse positions, and

shifting member movable into the path of the cam to be actuated thereby to shift the clutch.

from the feed to the neutral position, and electrically operated means rendered operative 'simultaneously with the de-energizing of the spindle motor .for noving said shifting element into the path of the cam.

10, A driving and control mechanism for amilling machine having a rotary milling cutter spindle and a reciprocable work support, which comprises an electric motor for driving the spindle, power means for driving the support including a support electric motor, feed and quick traversetrains driven from the support I ing and similar machines having a work engagmotor, a feed-quick traverse clutch having feed,

quick traverse and netural positions, and an irreversible motion transmitting connection between the clutch and the support, a starting and stopping control for the machine, switch connections controlled thereby for de-energizlng said motors, and means operative simultaneously with the de-energizing of the: spindle motor to' shift the clutch from the feed to the neutral 1s ingtool and a support movable to eflect relative translatory movements of the workfand tool,- which comprises power driving connections for 'fltuating the support including 1- feed-quick traverse clutch, a manual control element for shifting said clutch, means acting, on the feedquick traverse clutch to bias the same toward the. feed position, and means for causing the feed-quick traverse clutch to operate in accordance with a semi-automatic cycle of operation which includes latching means rendered ative by t e shifting-of the clutch to quick traverse position to latch the clutch in the quick traverse position, and means responsive to move- -ment of the support for releasing the latch to cause the feed-quick traverseclutch to be shifted to the feed position at a predetermined point in the travel of the support.

14. A driving and control mechanism for milling and similar machines having a work engaging tool and a support movable to effect relative movement of the work and tool which comprises power driving connections including clutching means operable to drive the support at alternate feed and quick traverse rates, a manual feedquick traverse control including a clutch shifting element movable between feed and quick traverse positions, means acting to bias said clutch including the shifting element toward the feed position, and an automatic control device comprising means for latching the feed-quick traverse shifting element in quick traverse position, and means controlled by the movement of the support to disengage the latch.

15. A driving and control mechanism for milling and'simllar machines having a work engaging tool and a support movable to effect relative translatory movement of the work and tool, which comprises power driving connections for actuating the support including an electric motor, feed and quick traverse gear trains driven element, a latch for latching the feed-quick traverse control element in the quick traverse position, means controlled by movement of the support to disengage the latch, and means responsive to amovement ofthe feed-quick traverse lever toward the feed position to disengage the latch.

18. A driving and control mechanism for milling and similar machines, having a rotary tool controlling the feed-quick traverse clutch com-- prising a clutch shifting element movable between feed and quick traverse positions, a manually operable feed-quick traverse lever operatively connected with said shifting element,

means acting to bias the clutch and shifting element toward the feed position, latching means acting on the shifting element to latch the clutch in quick traverse position, means controlled by movement of the support to disengage said latchtherefrom, a feed-quick traverse clutch, means acting to bias the clutch in the feed position,

latching means rendered operative by the shifting of the clutch to quicktraverse position to latch the clutch in the quick traverse position, and dogs on the support responsiv to movement of the support at the quick traverse rate for releasing said latch to cause the feed-quicktraverse clutch to be shifted to the feed position by said biasing means.

16. A driving and control mechanism for milling and similar machines having a work engaging tool and a support movable to efiect a relative movement of the work and tool, which comprises power driving connections for actuating the suping tool and a support movable to eifect re1a-,

port including a feed-quick traverse clutch,

means under the control of the operator for starting, stopping and reversing the support, a

manually operable feed-quick traverse control including a clutch shifting element movable between feed and quick traverse positions,'means acting to bias said clutch including the shifting element toward feed position, and automatic control devices including means for latching said clutch shifting element in quick traverse position, means controlled by movement of the support to disengage the latch, and a selecting device under the control of the operator for rendering said latch operative or inoperative to control the position of the feed-quick traverse clutchl i7. A driving and control mechanism for mill-' ing and similar machines, having a work engaging tool and a support movable to effect relativemovement of the work and tool, which comprises i power driving connections for actuating the support including means under the control of the ing means, and means responsive to a movement of the feed-quick traverse lever toward the feed position to disengage the latch.

19. A driving and control mechanism for milling and similar machines, having a work engagtive translatory movement of the work and tool, which comprises power driving connections operable to drive the support at alternate feed and quick traverse rates, means under the control of the operator for starting, stoppingand reversing the support, feed-quick traverse control means comprising a shifting element shiftable between feed and quick traverse positions, means acting to bias said shifting element to the feed position, a, latch for latching said shifting element in the quick traverse position, and a manually operable feed-quick traverse lever having a lost motion connection with said feed-quick traverse shifting element, and means rendered operative by movement of the lever relatively to the feed-quick traverse shifting element toward the feed position to disengage the latch.

20. A driving and control mechanism for milling and similar machines, having a rotary tool a holder and a support movable to effect relative shifting element shiftable between feed and quick operator for starting, stopping and reversing the support, means for driving the support alter-' natively at feed and quick traverse rates including an element shlftable between feed and quick traverse positions, means acting to bias said element to the feed position, a feed-quick traverse lever operatively connected with said shiftable traverse positions, means acting to bias the clutch and shifting element toward the feed position, and an automatic control device for the feedquick traverse clutch including a latch plunger, a cooperating cam member associated with the shifting element arranged to be engaged by the latch plunger to hold the feed-quick traverse clutch in the quick traverse position, spring means for disengaging the latch, a solenoid acting when energized to urge the latch to the latching position, a dog on the support, and a switch connection actuated thereby to'de-energize the solenoid and thereby to permit the withdrawal -of the latch and the return of position.

21. A driving and control mechanism for a mathe' clutch to the feed chine tool having a reciprocable support which comprises power driving connections operable for starting, stopping and reversing the support,

a feed-quick traverse control element shiitable manually between 'feed and quick traverse'positions, means acting to bias said element to the feed position, a latch for latching the feed-quick traverse element in quick traverse position, and means controlled by movement of the support to. disengage the latch comprising an actuating dog, a dog follower arranged to be engaged and shifted by the dog, a connection rendered operative by movement of the dog follower to its shifted position to disengage the latch, and a selecting device comprising-means under the control of the operator for shifting and for holding said dog follower in the shifted position.

I 22. A driving and control mechanism for a milling machine having a rotary milling cutter spindle, a reciprocablevwork support,ran electric "motor for driving the spindle, and power means for driving the support including a support elec- "uric motor, feed and quick traverse trains driven from the support motor, a feed-quick traverse clutch,- and an irreversible motion transmitting connection between the clutch and the support, which comprises a manually operable start and stop control forthe machine and switch connections controlled thereby for energizing and de-energizing both oi-said motors, a manually operable teed-quick traverse control including a clutch shifting element, means acting to bias the clutch including said shifting element to the feed position, and a support motor start and stop switch connected with said shitting element to start the support motor upon movement of said shiftingelementto the quick traverse position independently of said start and stop control.

23. A driving and control mechanism for a milling machine having a rotary milling cutter spindle, a reciprocable work support, an-electric motor ror driving the spindle, and power means for driving the support including a support electric motor, feed and quick traverse trains driven from the support motor, a feed-quick traverse clutch having feed, neutral and quick traverse positions, and an irreversible motion transmitting connection between the clutch and the support, which comprises means under the control of the operator to start, stop and reverse the support, a manually operable start and stop control for the machine and switch connections controlled thereby for energizing and de-energizing both of said motors, a manually operable feed-quick traverse control including a clutch shitting element, means acting to bias said clutch including the shifting element to the reed position, a support .motor control switch actuated by movement of the clutch shifting element to and from the quick traverse position to start and stop the support motor, and an automatic control for the machine comprising means for latching the clutch in the quick traverse position, and means controlled by movement of the support to release the clutch and permit its return toward the feed position under the influence-of saidbiasing means.

24. In a machine having tool and work supports, actuating mechanism for said supports including power means and driving connections for causing a tool mounted in its support to be actuated and for causing relative movement ,b e-

tween said tool and work supports, said driving connections for causing said relative movement including a clutch having driving and neutral positions, control mechanism for starting and stopping said power means, means actuated by the control mechanism to shift the clutch to driving position when the control mechanism is operated to start said power means, a cam and a member shifted by said cam for moving said clutch from driving to neutral position, and means for moving said shitting member into the path of the cam when said power means is a stopped. ARTHUR F. BENN'E'I'I. 

